Founder’s Award Recipient – 2022
Robert Laraia, RFC®
The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC®) Founder’s Award is given in honor of the IARFC Founder John J. Gargan to those who have been a past or present Trustee, Chapter Board Director, or Committee Member, held a professional designation/credential awarded by the IARFC, possesses a clean regulatory record, and has been a member in good standing for a minimum of 5 years. They must have achieved a high ethical and professional standard and most importantly, helped expand the visibility of the Association.
For 2022, Robert Laraia, RFC®
of North Star Wealth Partners, LLC in West Hartford, CT,
is the 2022 recipient of the Association’s honor.
Bob Laraia has worked since 1985 in financial services and holds the Registered Financial Consultant (RFC®) designation from the IARFC. He has been a member of the industry’s prestigious MDRT since 1990. Since 1998 he was invited to become a member of MDRT Court of the Table, which represents the top 3 percent of the financial services representatives. In 1999, he became an elite member of MDRT Top of the Table.
“When we look for people to nominate for the Founder’s Award, we need to see longevity mixed with today’s relevance in the profession,” explains Dr. H. Stephen Bailey, MRFC®, the IARFC Trustee Chair. “From his longtime membership in the IARFC, his service on the US Chapter Board, and his contribution to the National Financial Plan Competition for future financial consultants, I think the Founder’s Committee got it right in voting him the 2022 recipient.”
In addition, to being part owner of his own firm that is engaged in giving back to the community, Bob sits as a Director on the IARFC US Chapter Board. He is involved in the policy-making and active membership promotion to all prospective consultants who are looking for an Association that champions ethics, integrity, and continuing education. In seeing the need to nurture those upcoming in the profession, his firm has signed on for the second year as a Corporate Sponsor to the IARFC National Financial Plan Competition, open to college undergrads in a financial services field of study.
Being the Founder’s Choice for 2022, Bob joins an impressive group of prior recipients who are listed on the IARFC website. From his perspective he relates… “The recognition as being a Founder’s Award Recipient is indeed an honor. I have always felt that involvement in an Association in whose Mission I respect, is a worthwhile cause in which to invest my time and energy. By being a Director on the US Chapter Board, I can help make decisions that will move the IARFC forward and encourage consultants to become members. As a Corporate Sponsor to the National Financial Plan Competition, I help promote future financial professionals. Both of these causes are give-backs to an industry that has afforded me a successful career and an opportunity to serve people in gaining financial independence. In the spirit of John J. Gargan, I am deeply appreciative and thank the IARFC!”
This Founder’s Award will be presented to Robert Laraia, RFC® on Thursday, April 28 during the Banquet Dinner of the IARFC Annual Trustees and Director’s Meeting. More information on all Association Awards can be found on www.iarfc.org/events/awards.
Note: Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC
